http://www.professorbainbridge.com/2005/10/hewitt_and_mirg.html
" GOV. BUSH: The most primary issue--the most primary issue is will they strictly interpret the Constitution of the United States?
MR. RUSSERT: Will your judges and judge appointments to the Supreme Court be similar to Scalia in their temperament and judicial outlook?
GOV. BUSH: Well, I don't think you're going to find many people to be actually similar to him. He's an unusual man. He's an intellect. The reason I like him so much is I got to know him here in Austin when he came down. He's witty, he's interesting, he's firm. There's a lot of reasons why I like Judge Scalia. And I like a lot of the other judges as well. I mean, it's kind of a harsh question to ask because it now pits me--some of whom are friends of mine. I mean, it's--and so, in all due respect, Judge Thomas.
Arguably, Bush didn't explicitly promise to appoint judges in the Scalia/Thomas mold, although I think that he certainly intended people like me (and Hugh and Paul, for that matter) to draw that inference. BUT: Contrary to what Hugh claims, there is no doubt in my mind that Bush expressly stated an intent to apply a litmus test - namely whether or not the nominee was committed to what Hugh calls a "committed to a particular theory"; namely, strict construction."
Close enough.
Hardly. He said "The most primary issue is will they strictly interpret the Constitution of the United States." Russert then tries to get him to say exactly what folks like you claim Bush has said. So how does Bush respond... "Well, I don't think you're going to find many people to be actually similar to him. He's an unusual man." He then lists the reasons why he likes Scalia, starting with the fact he knows him well. He goes on to say that he likes a lot of other judges as well.
So where in all that do people draw the claim "Bush promised he would appoint judges in the mold of Thomas and Scalia." The correct answer is...YOU CAN'T. You can correctly say Bush believes the primary issue is that judges strictly interpret the Constitution. You can correctly say he likes Scalia in part because he knows him. But you cannot say, "Bush promised to appoint judges in the mold of Thomas and Scalia." So for the sake of the truth, please don't.
Close enough = Horse shoes and Hand Grenades.